Welsh National Opera has released details of an evaluation report for its pilot Wellness with WNO: Managing Persistent Pain Programme. The report, conducted by Milestone Tweed, highlights substantial improvements in pain management, mental and emotional health, and overall quality of life for participants.
The six-week online singing and breathing pilot programme, running from March 2024 to March 2025, is designed to support people living with persistent pain. Building on the success of WNO’s Wellness with WNO Long COVID Programme, which launched in 2021, the programme includes weekly one-hour sessions and optional fortnightly drop-in sessions.
As of November 2024, when the report was compiled, 44 participants had taken part in 36 sessions, with an average of six attendees per session. Additionally, 65 participations were recorded across eight drop-in sessions, reflecting strong engagement and commitment.
The key findings from the evaluation (based on participants detailed above) are:
1. Reduced Pain and Improved Functionality:
- The results showed a 67% improvement in pain/discomfort.
- Decreases in pain were reported by 66% of participants and they attribute this change to the programme. For at least one in ten, pain reduced significantly.
2. Emotional and Mental Health Benefits:
- The results showed a 67% improvement in anxiety/depression and 69% reported enhanced health-related quality of life.
- Participants felt more positive, focused, and less burdened by their conditions.
3. High Participant Engagement:
- 95% of participants continue using the breathing techniques and exercises post-programme.
- Average attendance was 82%.
4. Cost Efficiency:
- Sessions are estimated to cost of £12 per person per hour, compared to £34.30 for an NHS Band 7 Physiotherapist from Chronic Pain Services.
- Centralised delivery eliminates the need for individual health boards to establish costly programmes, aligning with NICE guidance and generating savings.
5. Additional Benefits:
- Qualitative data highlighted themes such as holistic therapy through music, joy and positivity, empowerment, acceptance, self-management, community belonging, and increased knowledge and learning Funded by Welsh Government and in partnership with NHS Wales, the Wellness with WNO: Managing Persistent Pain Pilot Programme’s participants were referred from pain clinics across Wales, some self-referred and others were signposted by third sector organisation Cymru Versus Arthritis.
Owen Hughes, National Clinical Lead for Persistent Pain, NHS Wales said:
“This partnership with WNO has been hugely successful. Feedback from participants has been fabulous with many telling us that being involved in the programme has been life changing. Not only have they enjoyed learning to use breath and song to help manage their pain, but it has also given them the confidence to socialise again. Several participants have said that they’ve gone on to join choirs and some are looking to return to work. The power of music and song has really made a difference to their lives.”
June Evans, Wellness with WNO Participant said:
“The programme has genuinely changed my life. Before I started the sessions, I was consumed by grief for the life I had before my illness and felt constantly controlled by my pain. Wellness at the WNO has taught me how to tame the pain and every session brings me one step closer to the person I used to be. It has brought joy back into my life and has showed me how to smile again.”
Alongside this new pilot, WNO has continued to develop and expand its flagship Long COVID programme in this last year, to include other long-term conditions, such as ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, aligning with the Welsh Government’s Adferiad (Recovery) programme. The initiative has garnered high levels of interest across the medical world, with presentations to the Traumatic Stress Wales Network, British Psychological Society, and international delegations.
WNO is also delivering new social prescribing initiatives, including: a programme for secondary school students experiencing anxiety and low confidence; a partnership with Velindre Cancer Centre to address breathlessness; and a pilot programme for individuals in supportive care in partnership with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
Emma Flatley, Director of WNO Programmes and Engagement said: “We’re delighted to see the beneficial impact of the Wellness with WNO Persistent Pain Programme in this report. Its high engagement rates, cost efficiency, and transformative outcomes on the individuals long term health highlight its potential as a valuable intervention. We’re also pleased to hear first-hand from participants how the programme has improved their lives. To be able to evolve this programme into a rehabilitation service for other health areas and are committed to ensuring more people can access this innovative service is in an important opportunity.”
Wellness with WNO sessions are delivered in English and Welsh, via Zoom - to ensure accessibility. The sessions have been co-designed and are led by WNO Vocal Specialists Zoë Milton-Brown, Jenny Pearson and Kate Woolveridge MBE.
Wellness with WNO is supported by Arts Council Wales via the Arts, Health, and Wellbeing Lottery Fund, and NHS Wales health boards. The WNO pilot programme for Persistent Pain is funded by Welsh Government and delivered in partnership with NHS Wales. For media enquiries, photos, or interviews, please contact: Elin Rees, Communications Consultant | comms@wno.org.uk